S.V. HAS WEAVER'S NUMBER PIONEERS RETIRE JERSEY OF ALUM, NOW WITH ANGELS.

Byline: HEATHER GRIPP

Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY -- Jered Weaver's first offseason as a major leaguer wasn't exactly the relaxing experience he envisioned. Buying his first house ignited the 24-year-old Angels pitcher's foray into to grown-up life.

"That took up pretty much my whole offseason," Weaver said of the Simi Valley house that is a few miles from his parents. "I didn't know buying a house was so much work. It's a lot more than just moving all your stuff in. It's been a lot of work, it hasn't been easy."

The easy part of his life comes on the baseball field. At least Weaver makes it look easy, and that's what Simi Valley High honored Friday.

During halftime of the Pioneers' basketball game against cross-town rival Royal, Simi Valley retired Weaver's No. 25 that he wore as member of the school's baseball and basketball teams.

"It's a pretty big honor for me to have my jersey shown here at the school," said Weaver, who received a framed jersey, as did his parents. "They haven't retired very many jerseys, so it's a big honor. For me and my brother to both be up there, that's special."

The Pioneers retired older brother Jeff's number five years ago, and that number was also 25. The brothers say it was just a coincidence they wore the same number in high school and didn't even realize it until Jeff was honored.

Jered admits he switched to No.36 in college to be like his major-league brother and plans to wear that number this season with the Angels.

Since graduating from Simi Valley in 2001, the younger Weaver has been an All-American at Long Beach State, starred on the U.S. National Team, was the Angels' first-round draft pick in 2004, and last year became the first American League rookie since Whitey Ford in 1950 to win his first nine decisions.

Weaver was 11-2 with a 2.56 ERA in 19 big-league starts last season.

"This is a guy who's a very talented pitcher," Angels general manager Bill Stoneman said. "He's got great baseball savvy. Even though he was a rookie last year, he really had a feel for what he was doing."

Weaver's potential was just starting to blossom during his days at Simi Valley. He was 3-2with a 3.38 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 56 innings as a senior.

Former Pioneers baseball coach Joe Gordon told of how he anticipated big things from Weaver, even though the 6-foot-7 athlete was better known as a basketball player back then. Gordon worked with Weaver as a student and a teacher's aid in addition to as a player, and was impressed by Weaver's dedication to success.

"What Jered has accomplished so far is no accident," Gordon said.

Weaver says he frequently returns to the school to watch basketball games, but had a difficult time watching much of Friday's game. He spent much of the game signing autographs for children, many clad in Angels gear. When the Pioneers' student cheering section finally noticed Weaver in the far corner of the gym, they briefly switched their cheers to chants of "Let's go Weaver."

Weaver preferred to praise the basketball team and encourage kids to stay in school rather than talk about himself during his halftime speech that was followed by a video tribute.

The evening was just one in a series of memorable events for Weaver since last season ended. He's watched his brother win the World Series and recently landed on the cover of the video game MVP 07 NCAA Baseball. His cherished anonymity is dwindling as he says he is often recognized around town.

He leaves for spring training next week looking to his first full season in the majors after beginning last year at Triple-A Salt Lake.

"It's not going to be as stressful," said Weaver, who describes having his brother playing in the same division this year with Seattle as a more stressful situation (his parents say they will root for a scoreless tie until both sons are out of the game if they pitch against each other).

"Last year, I went in just trying to make the team and everything was all new to me. Now I hope I already have a spot set up. And it's nice knowing what to expect going in this time.

"I'm not trying to top (last year), just stay on that same playing level. Obviously it's tough to have the kind of season I did, and team's have had chance to see my stuff more. I'm just trying to keep the same approach. That' s what got me here, so I haven't changed anything."

The Angels are equally optimistic.

"Shoot, he got off to an unbelievable start," Stoneman said. "To expect that again, I don't know if you could expect anyone to duplicate that, but we 're certainly expecting good things from him.

"We feel our pitching is very good, it's one of our strengths, and he' s a big part of that."

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Photo:

Jered Weaver, left, claps as his mom, Gail Weaver, is handed a Simi Valley High School baseball jersey with his retired baseball number during halftime of the basketball game Friday.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer